ISA Michigan Plant Health Care 1/2 Day Webinar
Join ISA Michigan for a focused half-day Plant Health Care (PHC) webinar designed to strengthen your diagnostic skills, improve treatment decision-making, and refine late-dormant application strategies. This program brings together nationally recognized researchers and industry leaders to address real-world PHC challenges facing arborists, municipal foresters, and tree care professionals.
The program begins with welcome remarks from ISA Michigan leadership, including CEU instructions, technical housekeeping, and an overview of the day’s agenda.
Earn 4 CEUs!
Misadventures in Diagnostics (Diagnosticalamities)
Dr. Joe Boggs – Professor, The Ohio State University
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective plant health care. Dr. Boggs will explore common diagnostic pitfalls, share real-world case examples, and discuss how small missteps can lead to large management consequences. Attendees will gain practical strategies for improving observational skills and avoiding “diagnosticalamities.” Live Q&A included.
De-Icing Salts: Soil Salinity Management for Trees
Roz Remsen – Davey Institute Technical Advisor, Diagnostics
Winter de-icing salts can have lasting impacts on soil chemistry, root systems, and overall tree health. This session examines how salinity affects trees, how to identify salt injury, and evidence-based strategies for soil remediation and long-term mitigation. Live Q&A included.
Spring Tree Stress and What To Do About It
Dr. Chad Rigsby, PhD – Bartlett Tree Research Labs
Spring conditions often expose underlying stress factors in trees. Dr. Rigsby will examine environmental stressors, physiological responses, and practical intervention strategies to support tree recovery and resilience during the critical early growing season. Live Q&A included.
Late Dormant PHC Applications: Horticultural Oils, Scale Suppression, and Mechanical Control
Kevin Nietering – Bartlett Tree Experts
Late dormant applications are a key component of integrated plant health care. This session will cover proper timing, target pests (including scale), oil selection, mechanical control techniques, and application best practices to maximize efficacy while minimizing risk. Live Q&A included.
The webinar concludes with closing remarks, CEU reminders, sponsor acknowledgements, and a preview of upcoming ISA Michigan programs.
Webinar Agenda
9:00 – 9:10
Welcome & Opening Remarks – Noelle Champagne & Michael Crawford-Lucas
9:10 – 10:10 - "Misadventures in Diagnostics (Diagnosticalamities)"
Speaker 1 – Dr. Joe Boggs, Professor Ohio State University
45 min presentation
15 min live Q&A
10:10 – 10:20
Break (10 minutes)
10:20 – 11:20 – “De-Icing Salts - Soil Salinity Management for Trees”
Speaker 2 – Roz Remsen, Davey Institute Technical Advisor- Diagnostics
45 min presentation
15 min Q&A
11:20 – 11:30
Break (10 minutes)
11:30 – 12:30 - “Spring Tree Stress and What To Do About It”
Speaker 3 – Dr. Chad Rigsby, PhD, Bartlett Tree Research Labs
45 min presentation
15 min Q&A
12:30 – 12:50
Break (20 minutes)
12:50 – 1:50 – “Late Dormant PHC Applications: Horticultural Oils, Scale Suppression, and Mechanical Control”
Speaker 4 – Kevin Nietering, Bartlett Tree Experts
45 min presentation
15 min Q&A
1:50 – 1:55
Closing Remarks